And the flexible hull gives a gentle ride over waves

Yeah, Tom has a dinghy problem. He owns so many. They now use the porta boate and a Portland Pudgy. I think it's likely he will end up owing the folding cat dinghy as well when Rowland makes it available for purchase this year.

Yes he did well with his drain solution. Wish I had done that back when I had a portaboat. You will just have to search unless someone else sees this comment. I don't know.

It's all about what condition it's in. Motor and boat. I know there were several years where the seats failed easily and eventually the hull gets overly soft. Saving money is great but you don't want someone's problem either. But a boat and motor in good shape for that could be a great price. I personally like the 10 footer best. Has three seats like the 12 but being a bit shorter it's firmer.

Hi Danny,. I just asked Tom (from the video) to answer this for you.

@@EmilyAndClark Awesome, thanks!

@@dannyrusso8279 ​@UCtRbKD1LB4o4aagI6OKoy7w Hi. Tom here. I've installed two different drain plugs on two different Ports-Botes. For the first one, I cut a small rectangle of Starboard and bolted and sealed it with 5200 to the outside of the hull low down on the starboard aft corner of the hull. I bored a hole through both the Starboard and the hull so they lined up perfectly. I then used a standard rubber expansion plug to close the hole. If putting the plug in from the inside, you should remove it when folding the dinghy so the plug handle doesn't jam against the diaphragm inside the transom. For the second drain installation, I used a Beckson drain plug. I bored a hole in the hull as before to mount the drain plug housing, bolting and sealing it to the inside of the hull with 5200. The plug for the drain screws in from the inside of the hull. This plug seems to have a low enough profile that it doesn't interfere with the transom diaphragm when folding. I hope this helps!

@@tomkintz1895 Thanks for the great info Tom. I'll go with the Beckson drain plug, since it won't interfere when folding. I'll use the 3M DP8004 adhesive that I just bought to fix a tiny leak at the lower corner of the transom, where the sides meet. This 3M product is supposed to work for tough to glue plastics. It should work great on the drain plug.

I bet the portaboat website would show that. We supplied an unbiased opinion.

I think he used the magma product for carrying surf and paddle boards. He says it in the video I believe.

If you mean what did you attach lifting tackle to, I bought four 1/4 20 eyenuts and used them in place of the supplied wingnuts for securing the transom on my 8-foot 2012 model. On the front seat, I used 2 1/2 screws and 2 more eyenuts in place of the seat pin clips. I rigged a bridle fore and aft for my davit lift points. Works a charm.

I had one myself years ago. Yes it's fine with 4 but it won't plane.

@@EmilyAndClark Thanks for your quick response. Then I think I'll go for the 10 ft version. I will mainly sail with 2 adults, but it is nice that 4 is possible if necessary.

10 footer is arguably better then the 12. Same number of seats but shorter makes it stiffer.

@@EmilyAndClark Thanks for clearing my doubt! :)

I hope someone else answers but I've had a 12 footer. No problem with 4 people but it won't plane with More then 2 and a small engine

Can it be fixed?

Hi James,. I just asked Tom (from the video) to answer this for you.

​@@EmilyAndClark Hi. Tom here. I've installed two different drain plugs on two different Ports-Botes. For the first one, I cut a small rectangle of Starboard and bolted and sealed it with 5200 to the outside of the hull low down on the starboard aft corner of the hull. I bored a hole through both the Starboard and the hull so they lined up perfectly. I then used a standard rubber expansion plug to close the hole. If putting the plug in from the inside, you should remove it when folding the dinghy so the plug handle doesn't jam against the diaphragm inside the transom. For the second drain installation, I used a Beckson drain plug. I bored a hole in the hull as before to mount the drain plug housing, bolting and sealing it to the inside of the hull with 5200. The plug for the drain screws in from the inside of the hull. This plug seems to have a low enough profile that it doesn't interfere with the transom diaphragm when folding. I hope this helps!

Any boat with a motor in the US needs to be registered. With an electric I bet you could get away without but I don't know the law.

In Florida, any vessel with any type of motor propulsion has to be registered, electric or fuel.

In CA I have a 12ft Porta Bote and it has to be registered. You have to not just register it but you also have to pay for Quagga/Zebra Mussel if vessel is used on lakes. My opinion dumb law but that's my opinion. That's California surprise surprise. I have a 5hp outboard.

I had one for several years. I had some rivets fail but easily replaced them with machine screws. And any dinghy is easy to board over the stern with a loop of rope to step on. -C

I had a 12 footer years ago. I ran it with a 2 stroke 4hp and an 8hp Honda. The Honda was a little heavy and more power then the boat liked. The ports boat handles waves well.it sorta snakes over them and gives you a smooth ride.

@@EmilyAndClark would you recommend the 8hp on the 12footer? I would really like to cruise, hugging the coast/shore around Ventura beach CA

More power then you need but the biggest issue is weight. Try to find a 2 stroke of you really want a portaboat. And I think 6 up is enough for two in shape people. I personally prefer the 10 footer. It's stronger and big enough.

@@LongDistanceSailor I already have a 12footer. And 4 stroke 5hp outboard but last time I took the boat to the lake I felt the outboard was too weak. I am wondering if 6 or 8hp might be a better setup for the ocean. I would not dare to go to the ocean with the 4 cycle 5hp😬😂

Will it plane? What is it's cargo?